To
read the letters, double click on each letter; wait a few moments
until a button appears in the lower right hand corner of the
letter; click on the button to expand the letters to readable
size.

Questions
to ask:

1.
What do these letters tell us about John Brown’s personality
and his attitudes toward his family?

2.
What do these letters reveal about his motives for going to
Kansas, his opinion of the pro-slavery forces in Kansas, his
optimism or pessimism about the future of anti-slavery in Kansas,
and his attitude toward violence?

Albany,
New York Evening Journal [Republican], 18 October 1859
The telegraph during the past twenty-four hours has brought
startling accounts of an "insurrection" at Harper's
Ferry.

Charleston,
South Carolina Mercury [Democratic], 18 October 1859
Our despatches this morning give us some particulars of a serious
outbreak among the employees on the government works at Harper's
Ferry, Virginia

Richmond,
Virginia Whig [Opposition], 18 October 1859
There is at least no cause for uneasiness elsewhere in the State,
notwithstanding the reports concerning the complicity of the
negroes in the business.

Albany,
New York Evening Journal [Republican], 19 October 1859
The leader of the conspiracy is stated to be Captain BROWN,
of Kansas notoriety. This fact affords an explanation of some
points in it otherwise inexplicable.